Whatever Happened to: Troop

I’ve been known to give you ladies a hard time over your schoolyard crushes.

Like Immature, for instance – I said y’all were crazy for liking those Peter Pan rejects way back in 1993. I’ve always had the wisdom of a mature adult. That’s what makes me such a grumpy old man today.

But there was one group the ladies loved that I actually gave props to – Troop. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t think they were dreamboats. Steve Russell, Allen McNeil, John Harreld, Rodney Benford and Reggie Warren actually looked kinda rough to me. But that’s from a dude’s perspective.

Plus, we all know, I’m a hater.

By the way, did you know TROOP is an acronym for “Total Respect Of Other People?”

Remember that tidbit if you make it on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

“Mamacita” was the lead single from their self-titled debut album in 1988. It’s funny, I don’t remember that song at all, even after checking out the video on Youtube. But take a look at it solely to see Donnie Simpson, dressed like he’s taking flying lessons, or driving cabs.

Troop’s second album, ’89’s Attitude, is the one everyone remembers most. How can you forget “Spread My Wings” or “All I Do Is Thing of You?” I’m not ashamed to admit I still rock both of those joints.

But ooh, Lord, those haircuts…

1992’s Deepa featured “Sweet November,” complete with sappy male R&B video. You know the type – one of the guys chases a girl and stops while she walks away. Then you see all the dudes sitting on rocks looking at the sky while singing. I call it the Boyz II Men Special.

A Lil’ Sumpin’ Sumpin’ dropped in 1994 and the only song I remember is “Do Me.” I’m sure you don’t remember it though – it sounded really dated, like something Bill Biv DeVoe would have done four years earlier.

Does anyone know why there are only three guys on the cover? I don’t remember anyone leaving the group and I couldn’t find anything online about a split occurring at this time. Maybe the other two members refused to be photographed with a shirtless man.

Did you know Troop had an album in 1998? I totally missed it. Their single, “The Way I Parlay” isn’t half bad by 1998 standards but it got no love on the radio, at least in Va. Maybe that’s why they took a hiatus soon afterward.

Should they come back?: If you ask them, they never left:

Yeah, that’s them today, courtesy of their MySpace page. They’re still touring, so if you wanna hear dudes in their 30s singing about middle school crushes, look for ‘em at a town near you.

Also, Steve Russell wrote the only Chris Brown song I like, “Take You Down,” so he’s staying busy. He should have told him that song was NOT meant to be taken literally.

Well, no I don’t think that they should come back but they were on top of it back in the day. “Spread My Wings” and “All I Do is Think of You” were my jams and if those bad boys come on the radio today, I will rock it!

Somebody should have told that little boy group, whoever they are that remade the Troop song that they were committing a crime! Sit down children! Messing up a good thing (Edd, I am sure you know who I am talking about).

And last but not least, you know you are wrong for that Chris Brown comment…but you know I laughed!

Troop was in Louisville for the first (or maybe the 2nd?) Soul Food Festival. They sang about three songs, left out either “All I do,” or “I will always love you” and spent the rest of their set validating their “we’re still hot” claim by bragging about all the songs they now write for other artists. Like Jordan Sparks.

I would love to take my 16 year old daughter and 20 year old son to see Troop, to show them what real music used to be like back in the day. It’s kinda kool introducing them to my old music and they actually enjoy it and can see that good music doesn’t have to include raunchy sexual lyrics or drugs.